Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after learning that the timeline had been set for Iowa National Guard members to receive back compensation for time they were deployed beyond their established rotation cycle.
Grassley was the lead co-sponsor of legislation in 2008 to fix the bureaucratic snafu that these Iowa Guard members got caught in. The legislation was included in the Defense Authorization bill that was signed into law in October 2009. The Guard members have been waiting since then for the implementation guidelines to work their way through the Defense Department bureaucracy.
Here is today’s comment, followed by Grassley’s comment yesterday after learning that the final guidelines were set to come down at any time, and information on the logistics of the timeline from the National Guard Bureau.
"FINALLY. This is great news for the Iowa National Guard troops. They deserve every penny of the back compensation they will receive. When we first started on this nearly two years ago, I don't think any of us believed it would be such a bureaucratic nightmare to get these men and women the benefits they are entitled to. I plan on keeping a close eye on these payments to make sure the Guard keeps as close to this timeline as possible.”
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Iowa Media
RE: PDMRA benefits for Iowa National Guard Troops
DA: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after the Department of the Army provided direction to the National Guard Bureau so they may finalize guidance for a state National Guard whose members have been impacted by a bureaucratic snafu that left thousands of service members without certain benefits they deserved. Nearly 800 members of the Iowa National Guard were caught in the middle of a delay between the announcement of the Post Deployment and Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) program by the Department of Defense and the establishment of the program by the individual services.
PDMRA leave was designed to provide service members who were deployed beyond established rotation cycles to Iraq and Afghanistan (and in specific instances to Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan) additional time to reintegrate back into civilian life, as well as to help with retention of service members who had experienced long tours.
Grassley was the lead co-sponsor of a bill in the Senate to compensate U.S. service members, like many Iowa National Guard members, who were unable to take advantage of this benefit because of the bureaucratic delay. The bill was included in the Defense Department authorization bill that was signed into law in October 2009. Since the bill was signed into law, the Department of Defense ordered the Department of the Army to provide official direction to the National Guard Bureau, which then provides guidance to the state National Guard.
Here is Grassley’s comment on today’s action that the Department of the Army has begun the process to provide guidance to the state National Guards.
“After extensive delays, it looks like the Army is finally moving forward on long overdue compensation for hundreds of members of the Iowa National Guard who were in one of the longest serving units in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I understand the implementing guidance from the National Guard Bureau is expected at any time now, so the Iowa National Guard is already compiling the necessary information in order to make sure these brave men and women can get paid as quickly as possible. No doubt we’ll keep the heat on the Defense Department to make sure they continue to make this a priority.”
Information Paper
Post Deployment & Mobilization Respite Allowance (PDMRA)
The Army has a detailed plan for payment to all National Guard soldiers who are eligible for compensation under PDMRA. The Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, is responsible for this action and already has the Army National Guard's preliminary list of 6,865 eligible individuals. The Army anticipates that the majority of claims will be paid by March 19, 2010.
The Army G-1 is currently working with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) on certifying the existing list of eligible individuals. The certification process includes verifying current service status and obtaining correct fund transfer and mailing address information. This step is critical in ensuring payments are both accurate and timely.
The Army is not constrained by pay periods in resolving this matter.
Eligible Soldiers still serving in the National Guard will receive payments via check to bank (electronic funds transfer). Eligible individuals who have separated from the service will receive treasury checks sent via U.S. Postal Service.
The Secretary of the Army has directed the immediate flow of certified portions of the eligible list to the Defense Finance Accounting System
(DFAS) as soon as they are ready. This will negate further delays in payment. Moreover, since processing of certified lists will be continuous, fund transfer or check mailing actions will occur throughout the month. This means less delay for the recipient, once the Army has certified their payment information.
Frequently Asked Questions
* When will Soldiers begin receiving payment? Will this occur during the 1 March or 15 March pay periods? The Army is not constrained by pay periods in executing payments to eligible Soldiers. In accordance with the Secretary of the Army's guidance, the Army will immediately flow certified eligible lists to the Defense Finance Accounting System to negate further delays in payment. Funds transfer or mailing action will occur continuously throughout the month of March, and thereafter, until complete. We anticipate that the majority of claims will be paid by 15-19 March.
* How will payment be accomplished for all Soldiers, including those Soldiers that have separated from the military? Soldiers that remain in service will receive a check to their bank (Electronic Fund Transfer); Soldiers that have departed service will receive a U.S.
Treasury check via United States Postal Service.
* Some sources have cited the total PDMRA eligible population at over 20,000 Soldiers, while the list from Army NGB is only 6,865 -- why the difference? The Army has reconfirmed with the Army National Guard that their list of eligibles reflects 6,865 Soldiers. Some Soldiers were brought back onto Active Duty and were able to use their PDMRA leave.
We expect that as we certify the eligible population, the list will increase, including a small number of eligible Soldiers from the Army Reserve (these numbers are expected to be small, because the affected Army Reserve population was primarily individual augmentee, as opposed to complete Brigade Combat Teams from the National Guard). If Soldiers believe that they are eligible, but have not received payment, it is important for them to contact their unit Personnel Administration Center (PAC) to apply.
Implementation Timeline
1 Feb: DoD policy signed, providing individual Military Services authority to implement payments under the PDMRA program. Each service Secretary who chooses to utilize the discretionary authority (retroactively compensate former service members for PDMRA days earned) contained in Section 604 of the FY10 National Defense Authorization Act is responsible for issuing applicable implementation policy.
2 Feb: Army G-1 received DoD guidance on implementation authority.
5 Feb: NGB G-1 provided a preliminary list of over 6,865 Soldiers to Army G-1 who may be eligible for payment. The Army Budget Office (ABO) confirmed that Army will pay this Military Personnel Army (MPA) bill using current year dollars ($200/day per eligible Soldier).
12 Feb: Secretary of the Army meets with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and the Army G-1 to receive a PDMRA update and provide guidance. The Secretary of the Army issues guidance to begin sending certified lists to DFAS immediately.
15-19 Feb: Army G-1 will work with the Army National Guard Bureau and Chief, Army Reserve, to certify eligible lists. Certification entails verifying payee information to include electronic fund transfer information and mailing address. The process will be continuous, with the Army G-1 and Reserve Components certifying and providing updated lists to DFAS weekly for payment.
15-19 Mar: Expect the majority of payments will be in Soldiers'
accounts via direct deposit or checks mailed via U.S. Postal Service.